Thursday, May 31, 2012

Organization Binders

Here are a few FREE PDF's of the templates I made to use inside my binders. Please check back as I will continue to update this list as I design more pages ;) I’ve added a DropBox download option since so many had problems with Google Drive. You can download all the files in a ZIP file from Dropbox HERE

Binder 1: Family

-Family

Calendar, Wal-Mart sales cheap desk ones that are the perfect size (I have since stopped using a calendar in here and instead use a pocket calendar in my purse, that works better)

Grocery list (PDF is finally available! It is our common items so not sure really how useful it will be, but may be a good guide to recreate your own)

Bulk Menu Planner -This is basically most of my common meals and I calculate up the bulk amounts at the bottom. Nothing fancy, but maybe it's a good guide for someone to recreate their own.

Menu Planner - I simply put my meals on a calendar template. I do use highlighter to mark meats, produce etc for easier bulk calculation. This is just to use for an example of how you could make yours. I do not have recipes.

Coupons ( I use baseball card sleeves to organize them)

Things to look for while shopping (This is another long term list, anything I’m interested in but want to find at a good price, not necessity items like food or diapers…..ex: an acrylic tray or porch swing cushions)

Binder 2: Finances

-Finances

Register (We use the Dave Ramsey Cash system (with individual registers for each category) but this binder register is great for keeping up with bank account’s balance and marking down future bills to be prepared for (school year book or quarterly garbage bill)

Bills Due/Envelopes/Checkbook (keep these in the snap pocket plastic sleeve)

-Taxes

Taxes ( I keep up with each expenditure that comes in throughout the year which we can deduct on our taxes, this saves me from that end of the year headache of digging through piles of receipts)

Binder 1 is for keeping up with the family, Binder 2 is for all the important stuff, Binder 3 is just for me :) I chose not to include anything in my binder that I would be very worried about if the binder was lost (SS cards, marriage licenses, birth certificates, account info, personal info etc). I did this because I wanted to be able to take the binders with me on the go and not be stressed over losing something. Also, I prefer to keep important documents in our safe in case of burglary or fire (see bottom of post for my safe filing system). Unlocking a safe every time I wanted to use my binders just didn't make sense to me.

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Drop Zone

My binder cabinet :) This is why I didn't want any important documents in my binders, they are too pretty to be shoved in a safe! Here is a link to all my Drop Zone features!

I keep a Hanging File Folders
with a section for Temp Receipts (for possible returns or limited warranties), To be filed (paperwork that I need to file long term in the safe, tax papers, statements etc.). I also decided to remove my Incoming/Outgoing mail and instead made a file for each of my tax receipt categories (Medical, Business, School etc.) It was a bit of a headache to constantly have to re-sort these receipts when they were grouped in with my “To be Filed” stuff. A few changes just to streamline my filing system.

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How the inside is organized

I used these Tab Write-On Dividers to break up all the major sections. Then used card stock to break up the smaller sections inside the tabbed dividers. I simply ran them through myEpson Printerto print the section titles on each divider.

Here are the individual sections printed on cardstock, probably not necessary but it does help to catch the cardstock while thumbing through, saves a bit of time.

There is a Plastic Pocket
behind every tabbed divider to keep temporary papers (receipts, bills etc)

I placed these Snap Envelopes
in each binder for bulky items (pencils, calculator, checkbook, etc)

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Long Term Storage

This is the filing system I use for long term storage, important documents and just any paperwork I want placed inside my safe for protection. The box I use can be found here: Set of 2 File Boxes

I have tabbed Hanging File Folders
and inside each file is an Envelope
with individual categories. I absolutely love this system. It saves space and is so easy to keep up with. Yes, it was a bit of work to organize it but now I can find and file things faster. It’s a breeze even to send my husband in to look for papers where before he could never locate anything.

I intentionally chose a smaller box. By the end of the year it is pretty much packed (like the below photo). I then go through and clean out all the excess or expired papers and it leaves me with the perfect amount of space for the upcoming year. I don’t hold onto every bill or scrap of paper….. only the most important things. Depending on your family size a bigger box may be needed, this one works perfect for my little family of four.

205 comments
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Love this, I really do. Unfortunately having a paper copy of most of this is a moot point anymore. I utilize bento for the iPad to organize most of my information. But bills/fiance, however, I still do on paper.

To a point. If you lose power - tornado, hurricane, fire - accessing online or electronic emergency information is impossible. Grabbing a binder when you run out your house is a life saver. BTW, bills/finance on Quicken or similar is the way to go.

First I want to say; Wow! I will definitely be using a lot of the things you've shared. Thank you.I'm a quicken user too; faithfully. I also like to be organized so I can find all that dreaded paperwork quickly.Although I do know all too well how much time you have running out of a burning house. First thought; my little girl. "Go with Grandma, I'll be there in a minute!" Next thought pictures. The handful of albums I did get, I lost when the propane tank blew and sent me flying down the stairs. Long story short, everyone was safe.Husband was wearing nothing but his wedding ring. You really don't have timeand thinking rasinally; not. My plan now is:Backup your quicken, pictures, scaned documents, important stuff; insurance papers,etc, on your computer. Then every couple of weeks back it up to an external harddrive, that you keep awayfrom your house. I keep ours in our camper.Just remember it might take a bit to get organized again but you will,our family did and we lost everything. Except the most important,family.

I'm bummed that I couldn't open any of the PDF's! I've been looking for great ways to be obsessively organized and this is awesome! Any way I could get some links or files to my e-mail I can actually open?

Meaghan- Can you open other Google Doc files fine? If not it may be a java issue or browser plugin, etc. I'm not 100% sure but the files are rather large, I'm afraid I couldn't get them to go through email sorry! Hopefully some other commenter can help out who is a bit more tech savvy than I ;)

I came across your blog while on pintrest and love how detailed you are. I have a home mainteance binder and I was interested in your grocery list and meal planning ideas. Do you know when you will share them with us.

Studio C Carolina Pad "Simply Chic". I tried to locate them online before for the post and didn't have any luck. Carolina Pad lists some of their items as "Select Retailers Only", I'm guessing that's how they are selling these binders. http://02ca560.netsolstores.com/studio-c-simply-chic-ideal-book.aspx

My binder like this also has a page listing the dates to display our flag, a pocket for all those little plastic tags that come with plants from a nursery, and a reusable sheet for the babysitter that has all the information she needs that particular night. It's a lifesaver! I love my binder!

Also, I'm getting notices that "too many people are trying to view files". Since there are so many hits on the files, some may need to attempt to view at off times (late evenings, early morning) in order to get access.

I'm not sure what else to suggest. When it comes to anything technical I'm clueless :) I do know that interest in these files has exploded this week (went viral on Pinterest), so maybe in a couple weeks there won't be so many trying to access the files and hopefully there will be less problems opening them.

I also was able to print after logging into my Google account. I noticed that I had to save them to my files to be able to print the lines. Also on another site I had to go to my Internet Explorer to be able to open them up (I like Google Chrome the best). Hope this helps.

This is a really simple and nice way to organize so much information, Jessie. Thanks for sharing these .PDF files, too. Have you ever heard about Dropbox? You can share files online, and it's free up to a certain amount of file space, and then pretty minimal cost if you need more space. Anyway, I came across this post and your blog via Pinterest, too. Nice to meet you! :)

I've not seen them anywhere else. However Target, Big Lots, Staples always have really cute ones. You could also buy a cheap white binder with the clear front pockets and just place scrapbook paper or fabric inside that has a print you like.

Thank you for sharing your organisation process with us! I'm currently re-organising the filing, storage for my own home office and for the first time, I have a clear idea of what I am aiming for. First time visit to your blog, will not be the last! :)

Thank you so much for sharing your organisation process with us. I am currently in the process of re-organising my own home office and for the first time I have a clear idea of what I am aiming for. First time visit to your blog but certainly will not be the last :)

Thank you for sharing your organisation process with us! I'm currently re-organising the filing, storage for my own home office and for the first time, I have a clear idea of what I am aiming for. First time visit to your blog, will not be the last! :)

I have had similar grocery, shopping, and meal planning lists, but yours are very pretty wile mine are simple word files. I would love to use yours but I cant seem to edit your files. How did you make them?

The files are non-editable PDF's. They were originally designed in Adobe Indesign. Most readers will not have access to this program due to the cost and I prefer not to use Microsoft Word because the content tends to display differently from computer to computer. PDF files are more compact and most will have no problems displaying and downloading them, however the flip side is unless you have the proper programs (adobe acrobat, photoshop) they cannot be edited only viewed.

OMG you have no idea how long I have been looking for something like this!! Thank you so much. I have trying to organize everything for work and school, but didn't know where to start. This really helps!

I have been trying to get the pdf's to work but I keep getting diverted to Google Drive. I love the idea of your documents but I don't want to download another program. Can you why I can't get them without using this program.

You won't have to download a program..... I can even open these files on my iphone. Make sure you have a PDF viewer, maybe disable any pop up blockers. You could try another browser or computer too. Some have needed to sign into their google accounts first. Or your virus program could not be letting the webpage run properly. But I do know that you don't have to download a program to open the documents. You simply view them on Google Drive (because that is the site hosting them for free) via the link and it has the download option.

Thank you so much! This is a great way to organize~ Now i just need to figure out how to budget! My dad recently passed away and im helping my mom with paying bills online (which she has never done) so the bill pay is great and a great way to keep records! i cant wait to see more!

We use online autopay on most our bills, love it. Though I had a hard time trusting it until this past year, finally got tired of buying checks and forgetting to login to pay :) Nothing like a few late fees to make you try something new! But aside from a basic budget I highly recommend Dave Ramsey's system, it's simple and definitely will save you money (if you're looking for a future planning/debt relief type budget system).

Awesome binders! I would add a contact list to the school binder, including class phone lists, teacher's phone number and email, any school websites (our school has an online board for each class).Keep it up - Love this post and love the blog!-kb

That's a good idea. I didn't really need one since we're a small town family and know everyone at school personally, all the teachers, principals or coaches cell #s are in my phone or their living right next door ;) But a contact list would definitely be handy for most, I'll try to remember to design up a little something.

I'm not familiar with a way to allow you to edit/type directly on a PDF without Acrobat, Illustrator or Photoshop, both of which are programs most won't have available to them. However, you should be able to "Import" the files as a photo or background image in some programs and type over the image (hope that makes sense).

It requires some real learning and a copy of Adobe Acrobat, full, not the Reader, which is free. Even then, you can create the type-able form, but you can't SAVE the data in that form easily. Adobe stinks. Ugh

I have seen PDFs that are editable through Reader (the only Acrobat I have). They are pretty basic, but [somehow] it can be done :). I'm loving your examples btw! I'm doing my best to start being more organized and budget-conscious and these resources will help tremendously! Thank you!

If you have word or publisher try to Import the PDF as a image or background. Then type over the file. Hopefully that'll atleast let you add new information. If you have access to any adobe software (Acrobat or Illustrator) those usually break down the PDF's and let you change things up.

This is great! Thank you so much for offering your printables! I may not use most of them as is but it will definitely be a helpful guide in making my own.. or if I can figure out how to change the text lol.

I love this. We use MANY file folders for TONS of things (somewhat of a hoarder in the fact that I am so fearful of our government I think I must keep all bills, taxes, etc - has come in handy once) A binder (or 2 or 3 or 4) would be nice and compact if I could fit it all in. The only thing missing for me would be to modify the house maintenance to also reflect our rain water filters (we have to change 1 yearly, 1 quarterly and 1 monthy and sometimes I forget when we last changed the most recent on.) But as with everything I can use your awesome ideas and make one that fits my needs, as you mentioned. Thanks for another great resource!

I understand completely, a few years ago I kept every scrap of paper that came through the door. After working with our accountant she has helped me pair down the "need to have" paperwork, also I didn't have a choice since I needed to be able to fit everything into our safe for fire protection. But for our family business because we need to keep so many documents for so many years they do digital filing. Use one of those "neatdesk scanners". They save the files locally on drives, back up on externals and also have it all backed up on one of those off-site storage places. Might be something to consider if you ever feel like the paper is taking over :)

Absolutely LOVE this! I prefer the 'old fashion' version of paper vs computer or at least for a backup. I'm a computer graphics person and know how temporary those computer files can be. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

This looks great, I tried a home binder before and it didn't work for me, I want to try again with some of these now!! Also, I do believe you may only write off repairs made to your house DURING the year it sells in, UNLESS it is a rental property, then it is considered maintenance OR is the improvement falls under government guidelines for eco-friendly update. We recently sold our house and this is what we were told, just thought I'd let you know.

They are very thin lines so if you're using a desktop printer make sure you've ran a test run recently and adjusted/cleaned your ink heads. I had problems with my Epson 1400 at first, it wasn't printing some thin lines. Ran a test page and followed the calibration steps and it printed perfectly. Also, your printer might be downsizing the document prior to printing, I've had thin lines disappear because of that issue also, it needs to print printing at 100%. Hope this helps!

I love all of the great ideas! Here is another suggestion, I have medical binders for each person in my family. I always ask for copies of any testing (ie. bloodwork, ultrasound, mammogram, etc) and also get copies of any correspondence from one doctor to another. I take the binder to any appointments that I have so each doctor has all information at their finger tips. This is how I have our set up:-Each family member has their own color 3-ring binder which has a pocket on the inside cover.-In the pocket we have a typed page of any doctors that that person has seen including their name, specialty, address, phone number, and directions to their office.-I used traditional binder dividers one for each of the following topics: -Notes (has filler paper in this section to keep notes on doctor visits) -Tests (include copies of all testing and correspondence of doctors) -Immunizations (any shots that are received and the date) -Information (Any information that I have obtained via research on the internet, newpaper, magazines, etc pertaining to any medical condition that pertinent to us)

I posted about my Life organizer on my blog. Everything basically goes into there except my blog stuff and couponing/menu planning stuff. I created my own recipe book to put recipes in page protectors as I find recipes that I like. I plan to make a post about my coupon binder but it's also separated by categories and organized in baseball card sleeves as well. My blog stuff I organize on my gmail calendar actually. It's easier to color coordinate and move around compared to on paper for me. There's also a task list on there where I put my blog topic ideas and i just add it in the online calendar where I want to eventually and it crosses it off the task list. here's the link so you can see my binder. it isn't fancy but it works for me (http://chitownandallaround.blogspot.com/2012/07/my-life-organizer-includes-2-free.html)

I don't have them posted anywhere. The things we eat are very simple, usually meat and a few sides. So I either cook my bulk meat purchases as soon as they come through the door, then freeze in the correct portion sizes to reheat later. Or some meats I prefer to just marinade and freeze until ready to cook. That's about as fancy as my bulk meals get :) I tried doing entire meals frozen but found that the taste just wasn't very good for most of the foods we like to eat.

Thank you so much for posting this! Although I like to put some things into my smartphone, I feel that you can't beat old fashioned paper! I only am using one binder and calling it my "Mommy Binder". The printables are fantastic, thanks for sharing!

I think this is a great post... I often find myself scrounging at the last minute to find papers or information. I love your lists, they are great! I found you on Pinterest as well, and I will be following from now on.... I will also check up on your past postings... looking forward to it!

P.S. When you are doing your meal planning, and your shopping budgeting... how often do you shop? Do you shop separately for your bulk items vs every day stuff? How do you break down your budget for shopping? Sorry if this is too much info... you could also email me back... if you have time... thanks so much!

I would love to say that I am super organized in the grocery and meal planning section but it would be a lie ;) I usually grab the items we run out of often (fresh fruit, milk, juice, bread) after I drop my daughter off for school in the morning. It's just easy to swing by our local marketplace.

For the routine, stock the pantry shopping I will usually run out after gym late at night to a supercenter, this way the kids are in bed and I'm alone and can think. Usually I have to every 7-10 days.

I really only bulk shop for meat. I tried the once per month shopping and about had a break down, never enough of an item was in stock, two buggies and tons of food to cook with toddlers under foot....just didn't work for us. So now I usually try to make a run just for meat whenever we have the extra money and I have the time to prepare it, about 1-2 a month.

I have a set amount of money put aside each month for groceries, everything comes out of that. If we get a little extra income in I might use it toward stocking up the freezer. It's to the point now where I've been shopping for my family for so long, at the same stores, we eat the same items routinely so thankfully there isn't much thought that has to go into it. We buy mostly store brands, bulk items and just cut out all the unnecessary junk items, this allows me to stay in budget without having to coupon. I hate grocery shopping with coupons. I'll use them for clothes or other things, but it was nothing but a headache for me when I was trying to buy a buggy of groceries with coupons. But I applaud all the people who are willing to coupon and save that extra, it's a lot of work!

Thank you for sharing your home management system. I think it's wonderful that moms can get together to share ideas on how to be more organized. I've also created a Home Management Binder and have some free printables on my blog. I'm inviting anyone who has a binder and has blogged about it to post a link so that we can have a great variety of ideas in one spot.

I have a binder system and include those inserts for holding business cards (home maintance - all the cards I get for the guys I want to keep using). Health - insurance cards, Dr Cards etc - it really comes in handy!

Great ideas - thanks for the free PDF's! On your birthday PDF - I think a better idea (for me) is to label it Celebrations (to include anniversaries). Also I would have it by months, at the beginning of each month, at a glance I could see all that had a special day on that particular month. Just a thought. Many thanks for sharing!

Thank you, thank you for you PDF files i been working on my binder for a little while now and i was looking for some printable contacts for my phone number and i really love your version i think is going to be really useful for me. Thank you so much again!!!

Hi Jessie!! First of all, thank you for taking the time to share all of this great information with us!! It's really a lifesaver! I do have one silly question though...on the Register form, what does the "Cat." column stand for? Is it "category?" I'm stumped. :)

Yes, category. I used to be an avid Quicken user so having a category is now ingrained in my budgeting. Also using the Dave Ramsey system we have limits in each category so it helps me quickly breakdown where our money went and how much is left in each category to spend.

You are seriously awesome! I wrote about your blog in my blog: I finally found the perfect free printables and Home Management Binder! Thanks for this post, it was super! http://thelonglys.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/home-management-binder/

What an awesome inspiration!!! Nice work!!! That takes a lot of time! Thank you for this amazing post! Where do you upload your pdf's to when you post them on your blog to share with everyone? I cannot find anything that has worked smoothly for me.

Thank you!!! I've been meaning to make my own cutesy forms and I have never found the time. I'm fed up with my piles of paper and decided I don't need to reinvent the wheel. I found you on pinterest. Thanks so much for putting this all together.

I made a binder of a different sort. I used page protectors to store all birth certificates, social security cards, car titles, insurance policies (medical, life, auto and home), and other important documents. I keep this binder in the front of my file drawer so that in the event of an emergency, I can grab it and run and have all of our important documents at my fingertips.

Great ideas. One suggestion to add to your finance file - a listing of all your credit card company phone numbers. I actually made a copy of the front and back of all my cards. That way if my wallet is lost or stolen I have a copy of all the cards I need to call and cancel. Thanks for sharing! Good luck!

I'm curious to know what font you use for the heading of the Cleaning Schedule printable. I see that you mentioned Jacoba as the font you use for all the other headings but this one is different and I would love to find it.

Found you via Pinterest. Thank you so much for sharing all of your hard work with us! As a new home owner I love that I can keep everything organised and filed, and its still easy to access! Thinking of making up some "kits" for Christmas presents this year.

Great post and I love the forms! Very nice! I wrote a post on "getting back to school" and I use forms for class roster, school info etc. Hope you like it! :-) http://www.apersonalorganizer.com/organizing-back-to-school/Have a fabulous week!

These are great lists, thanks! I was reading your Grocery list PDF and noticed you have listed pancakes, muffins, and waffles. Those are common breakfasts in my family as well and to save money on them (since they are ones we eat a lot), I make extra of each whenever I make them and then freeze them. The muffins you just pop in the microwave for 10 or 15 seconds to thaw; the pancakes take about 30-45 seconds; and the waffles you can do in the toaster or microwave. That way I don't have to buy the frozen waffles or pancakes from the store.

I do the same thing! I bought the pre-packaged frozen pancakes one time about 8 years ago and it hit me while microwaving them "What in the world are you doing honey, these are just cooked pancakes thrown in a bag for you to reheat!" I remember as a kid my mom making the waffles ahead of time and freezing them, I keep saying I need to get a waffle maker bc those were the best :) I've never frozen the muffins, how do you store them? In a bag or wrapped individually?

Someone else may have mentioned this in an earlier post but another item that is valuable is a list of all medications (prescribed and/or over-the-counter) for each family member. And...remember to update it and carry it with you on vacation.

I have seen this Idea before but none have been so generous and have ranged from a $25 e-file to much more for a customized book. By sharing your files you are teaching people how to organize and giving this gift of organization to others. You may think that this is just a thing you post on a list of other things you have and will post but you truly are set out from the millions of personal websites by helping to this extent. Thank you!!!!

I have seen this Idea before but none have been so generous and have ranged from a $25 e-file to much more for a customized book. By sharing your files you are teaching people how to organize and giving this gift of organization to others. You may think that this is just a thing you post on a list of other things you have and will post but you truly are set out from the millions of personal websites by helping to this extent. Thank you!!!!

I am the most unorganized person in the entire world, and when I heard about the family binder, I decided I would look in to it. I think with your ideas, I might have a chance and a little less chaos. I love your menu planner as well, and will be trying some recipes out as well. Thank you thank you I am sure I will be back. Also to all the people who do their stuff online...I used to...then my computer crashed. EVERYTHING GONE :( I think hard copies are so so important.

You are very organized, thanks for sharing all of your wonderful templates! I love the idea of having everything saved as a PDF. I have begun to save my crochet patterns on PDF so I can access them on the go. I just open them in ibooks on my iphone. My phone is truly amazing! My first project will be to create my pantry/grocery list in a PDF format, since sometimes I leave the house without taking notes on items needed. Thanks for the inspiration!

I just found your site through Pinterest and I just love what I see! I am not the best at menu planning and I know I should be doing better than I have been and seeing your plans written out with the bulk meal plan is inspiring and makes things seem a lot easier than I had been thinking. I love seeing all the other pdf files you set up for us to view and learn from also, thank you!

Thank you! Thank you! I found your blog through a link from a different organizing blog. So glad i did! I have been working on my family binder and havent found the "right" printables for me andmy three kids. Until now! Now i just have to wait until i can get to a computer to print them all out! I am going to follow your blog and spend hours catching up :)

Thank you! Thank you! I just found your blog through an organizin blog i obsess over. I cant wait to spenx hours catching up! I have been working on a family binder for me and my three kids but havent found the "right" printables until now! Thank you so much for making them available. I really apreciateit! Now i just have to wait one more day until i can use a computer to print them out. Cant wait! I get way to giddy and excited about organizing :)

Hi! Thank you for your .pdf's and organization ideas. I have been meaning to get organized but haven't found a system that will work for us until now. I already have a "home binder" and will be adding your ideas to it. I have in mine things for my house that I would need to know if I went shopping (room dimensions, paint chips of the wall color with receipt from the store I bought it from, the picture from our comforter set, China pattern, area rug dimensions, pictures of some of my furniture.) I have it separated by room and have a few plastic sheet protectors to keep small items in (receipts, paint chips). That way if I'm going out to buy something, i know exactly if it will match/fit the room. I also include items that I would like to buy for each room so I dont forget about them.

I am on paper overload and just don't know what to keep and what to toss (Medical Claims, Home Insurance, Monthly Retirement Statements, Bank Statements, etc.) Can you give me some ideas of what you keep on hand and what you toss? Also, are these the items you place in your black filing system? Please help! Diana

I keep anything from the bank and anything from work. Also, I hold onto all medical paperwork, car papers, Loans, Mortgages, Selling/Buying Houses, Construction papers and insurance papers. All our personal paperwork SS, birth certificates etc etc. After 2-3 years I will usually purge quarterly statements from car, insurance, etc.). I tend to hold onto bank transaction statements though that show our debits/credits. I think you're supposed to keep all files for 7 years, 13 if a business? but I will be the first to say that anything older than 5 years usually gets shredded if I don't feel its high priority. Regular monthly bills once paid all the extra paperwork gets shredded. I don't hold onto receipts unless temporarily for possible returns or for tax/insurance purposes (though Amazon and the like has spoiled me by always being able to pull up transactions from years and years ago) so honestly I am a little lazy in the receipt area as well. But yes all this is in the black box. All our taxes are pretty straight forward, if we ever had any weird deductions or did our taxes ourselves I would probably be more careful about keeping the paperwork but our taxes are as boring and vanilla as they come. For anyone who does their own taxes and especially if you have out of the ordinary deductions, especially anything not easily traceable be careful to keep all your paperwork since that tends to be where the audits fall. Hope this helps!

Wow everything looks great and I can't wait to view/use later on.I did a quick look at your lists and didn't see rx's listed.This would be good to have if you had to run out the door etc.Love your notebooks and ideas, thanks for sharing.

I LOVE this post! I love to be organized :) I was trying to type inside the BILLS and the BUDGET templates as those for the most part are not going to change and I cannot figure out how to do it. Plus I would much rather look at the typed version instead of my handwriting everyday. I know you give a couple examples of how to do it but I cannot get it to work. Is there a way you can email me the original template so that it can be edited. I just like the look of everything being clean and neat. Thanks again for this awesome idea! Very creative.

The original files are made in Adobe Indesign, it's not a common program that everyone will have so that's why I offer PDF files instead, not to mention Indesign files are very large and would eat up all my Google Drive space quickly. If you do by chance have Indesign you can "place" the PDF on a page and create text boxes over the areas you want to type in. The same goes for Microsoft Word. If you have Photoshop you can open and type over the lines also. Now, I'm not sure if you can type using Adobe Reader or Acrobat (what the PDF files usually open in when clicked). All these options won't allow you to edit the document though. However a well placed white box will cover the old text allowing you to type over it and replace with your new text.

These are fabulous. I have been searching for a way to get organized. We have lived in our first house for about a year now and it has driven me crazy that we're still not fully organized. We also got married in September and paperwork just piled up everywhere. I found your blog on Pinterest and I am SO happy. These PDF's are a blessing! I found another person who has an Emergency Binder and she's charging $4 for her PDF's. THANK YOU for being such a doll :)

I also have binders with clear plastic sheet protectors in them that I use to store the paperwork/manuals for appliances and electronics that we own. I've got them sorted into several binders and it's an easy way to locate the manual or installation instructions for those items that you own and use. I'd like to take credit for the idea, but my dad bought a camper than came with a binder holding all the paperwork you could ever want for the camper and that got the whole thing started.

Jen's are much more specific, detailed and colorful. My printables are generic but save on ink. It's the same idea but our paperwork is functionally different, just try both and see which one works for you.

This could have been said and I missed it but have you tried tape under your labels? I do this for almost everything such as file folders (work and home) file boxes and holder for my scrapbook papers. Put a peice of scotch tape down fist and smoth out you won't even see it then apply your label. This makes it so they can be removed without ruining what they are on and the labels can be reused as the sticky is arill like new. It works great as I rearrange my papers so I can just move the labels with the papers. At work I use them for client files and when done I pull off and the file is like new to use again.

wow...thank you so much for sharing! Just one question: why do you use envelopes instead of file folders? I just might have to do this!

I don't really think that your printables and Jen's are alike! Hers are so pretty with the colors and fonts, but my printer could never make mine look that way! I prefer the basic styles like yours! :)

I use the envelopes instead of file folders bc I'm always losing smaller pieces of paper if I pull out a file folder. It's inevitable that everything will spill out the sides....definitely just a clumsy person problem so envelopes it is for me! ;)

Great ideas, I made my organizer from left over school supplies and my old coupon binderhttp://prisonmarriage.blogspot.com/2013/01/household-organzational-journal.html, I'll have to check out those links for some print out pages.

You can if you have a photo editing software. Think of these files as photos, you can type on top of them using a text tool in photoshop, indesign, word etc. However they are not like microsoft word documents that you can fully edit. Editable files have a tendency to not pull up correctly on everyone's computers so I used PDF.

For those who would like to type on PDF files, it is possible if you use PDF X-Change Viewer as your PDF software - the typewriter tool will allow you to position your cursor and type, and you can change fonts and sizes for your typewritten text. Once in a while the program acts up, and I un-install and re-install it. You can find it at download.com.

This is sooo wonderful! I found your post through Pinterest, and it is so awesome! Thank you so much for sharing, this is going to make a huge difference to my family! (Your Silver binders are so cute!) Thank you again!

I also use a binder for manuals and warranty info. Probably need to break it in to two manageable binders now. I use plastic sleeves and just insert all the paperwork from new electronic and household purchases. Works really well, especially when you have a yard sale, you can pull the info out and bundle it with the item.

Absolutely love your blog! I have printed almost every page!! Not sure if this has been asked yet, but wondering if you had the recipes that went along with your menu? The taco's and burgers I am sure I could figure that out, but wondering about the meals like Ribs or Easy Lasagna or Pizza Casserole? You have the ingredients listed, just wondering on the directions...such as oven temp and time, mix all ingredients or add cheese on top for the last 10-15 min, etc. Thanks so much! Again, I really love your blog and am super excited to get my organization on!!

A few of them are: Financial (individual envelopes in section are bank statements, credit card info), House (Mortgage, insurance, manuals, anything in house)Medical (folder for each person and for yearly receipts), Personal (ss cards, birth certificates etc) Auto (loans, insurance, maintenance, Taxes (each tax year in envelope). There are more but I can't think of them off the top of my head.

Hi, first off I want to let you know that I LOVE all of your helpful tools and suggestions! I want to know if there is a way to add a column in the "Bills" form for "amount?" I was going to try to do it but I don't know how to add the dotted lines that the form comes with! =p Thank you so much!

This is amazing! Thank you so much for creating this wonderful resource. It's just what I've been needing to create my own home binder and organize my life. I modified your shopping list to fit my own kitchen staples, and I love it.

Hi Jessie, thanks so much for sharing! I have just started a blog about regaining control of my life and one of the tools I will be using is a home management folder. I will need to modify some of them to suit my family but I love the templates you have posted. Thanks again!

I really really love the idea of being this organized, unfortunately I didn't completely understand your post as much as I wish to. Maybe because this items for organization are not presently available to me. What are your suggestions if I were to create an organizer of this nature on my own? Your response will be terribly appreciated. Bless you.

It's tax preparation time and today I was trying to organize mine using the workbook our accounting gives to us..I spend about 2-3 hrs. and still don't know where to put some of the documents...I know she will be able to pick out each category in a few minutes but I wanted to save her time and effort. Are those Martha Stewart 3 ring notebooks/vingers that you are using? I love her organizational products. Do you mind sharing what font or letter style you use on the dividers? Example: Bills, Charitable donations, Medical bills, etc?

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